Biological Hazard Control

Biological hazards are rarely given as much attention as other types of workplace hazards, yet they are present anywhere a worker can come into contact with other people.

There are four broad categories of workplace hazards:

Physical

Ergonomic

Chemical

Biological

And though the latter tends to receive less attention than the others, it’s present in virtually every workplace in some form and represents a serious threat to worker health and safety. Globally, an estimated 320,000 workers die each year from communicable diseases caused by work-related exposures to biological hazards.

In this article, we’ll specify what biological hazards are, who is at highest risk, and some effective ways to manage them in the workplace.

Breaking Down Biological Hazards

Biological hazards can be broadly defined as any risk that comes from the biosphere, including plants, animals, and humans.

Two of the most common (and easily identifiable) biohazards are blood and bodily fluids, including saliva, mucous, urine, and feces. These are risks in every work environment that has people. Other common biohazards include airborne pathogens (such as the common cold), wastewater, and sewage.

Common biological hazards derived from the environment include mold and fungi, harmful plants, stinging insects, and animal and bird droppings. Workers who spend time in close proximity to animals must be wary of the additional risks that these work activities carry. Rabies, leptospirosis, and other animal-borne diseases may be transferred to humans who come into contact with infected animals or animal waste.

Are You at Risk?

The short answer to this question is that just about every worker is at risk of coming into contact with some kind of biological hazard, whether that be human blood, organic matter, or airborne pathogens.

With that said, though, there are some industries and workers that are routinely exposed to these risks. These include:

Studies on biological hazards in the workplace are lacking; however, a report by Safe Work Australia notes that 19 percent of surveyed workers reported exposure to biological hazards. Of those workers, three quarters reported that they were exposed to human bodily matter of some kind. According to the report, there were two industries that were, unsurprisingly, affected more than any other: (1) health and community services and (2) agriculture, forestry, and fishing.

Identifying and Managing Biological Hazards

Employers and safety professionals must take time to identify potential biological hazards and develop a plan to manage them.

Employers should have a written plan to identify, control, and manage the biological hazards present in their workplaces.

The plan should be easily accessible to employees and outline what the hazards are, the procedures and processes that should be used to control or manage them, and the training employees require. It should also clearly articulate emergency procedures in case of exposure.

As with other health and safety plans, biological hazard control plans should be reviewed and updated regularly – at least once per year.

Conclusion

It’s rare to find a workplace that is completely free of biological hazards. And while they’ve been studied less than other hazards in the workplace, biohazards are no less important or risky to workers. For this reason, you must conduct assessments to identify potential biological hazards and implement engineering and administrative controls to manage them.

Workers who may be exposed to biological hazards should be provided with the appropriate PPE and receive comprehensive education and training so that they understand how to stay safe on the job.